As we roll through what is hopefully one of the last weeks of the outgoing winter season, the parks crew has taken a last shot at some of the existing snow by removing the majority of it from many of the ball fields that typically see early-season action.

Given the predicted temperatures of this weekend and next week, they realize that the ground will soon be too soft to move any snow from grassy and infield areas until the frost goes out. By that time, it would be too late, as we’d be left with some sections of the ball fields playable whilst other areas would have hard-parked drifts with underlying ice.

Thanks Parks Crew for all of your proactive, early pre-season prep work!

Sledding hill and outdoor rinks

It likely comes as no surprise to anyone, but the warming houses at the outdoor rinks and sledding hill have closed for the season and the portable restrooms have been removed. If it snows again this season, conditions may allow for sledding at Skinner’s Hill, but the warming house will not be available.

Brochure

The summer recreation brochure was sent to the printer two weeks ago.

The publication will be out in Austin schools by March 20. Watch for registration to begin for Austin Park and Rec and Jay C. Hormel Nature Center activities on April 1.

In house, our clerk is loading activities into the registration system to prepare them for the flurry of registration activity.

Watch Facebook (and the registration system) for the addition of adult archery instruction, something for which we’ve had some very recent requests. This will not be listed in the brochure this upcoming season, but it will nonetheless be available. It will be a great opportunity for adults to learn with the guidance of very capable archery instructors.

Mites 3-on-3 hockey

Mites 3-on-3 hockey will be held on March 17 and 30 and April 6, 13, 20 and 27. Games will be held 6-7 p.m. beginning Tuesday, March 17. The remainder of the games will be held on Monday evenings. The fee is $40 per player.

Learn to Skate

Learn to Skate will be from 6-6:45 p.m. on March 26 and April 2 and 9 at Riverside Arena.

Austin Park and Rec is offering this opportunity for beginners ages 3-10 years who wish to learn how to skate. Participants will fall down, so elbow pads and shin pads are recommended, and helmets are required to be worn at all times. Both helmets and skates are available for rental at Riverside Arena.

Parents or guardians of at least 16 years of age may assist participants at no charge. Skates are available for them to rent as well for $1 per time. The participant registration fee is $20.

Seasonal Employment Opportunities

Park and Recreation is accepting applications for many summer/part-time jobs for ages high school and up. Are you retired and looking for something to get you outside? We may have something for you. We have job openings in park maintenance, municipal pool management, lifeguarding, and recreation. Wages have increased since last year for many of these seasonal positions. Check the City website at www.ci.austin.mn.us for the related employment opportunities.

As a reminder, home trash does not belong in the park garbage cans and dumpsters. ‘Public dumping’ can result in issues of citations and related fines, so please purchase your own residential garbage service.

Riverside Arena

The Austin Bruins will be at home versus the Minot Minotaurs at 7:05 p.m. on March 13. The hockey action is always fast and exciting when the Austin Bruins are in town!

Public Skates: 3:30-5 p.m. on March 7; 6:30-8 p.m., March 12; 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on March 14

Stick Time: 5-6:15 p.m., March 12